Jack McMahon
Cincinnati Royals and San Diego Rockets Head Coach | NBA Assistant and Executive
John Joseph “Jack” McMahon was born December 3, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. A former NBA guard, he entered coaching with the Chicago Zephyrs and later headed the Cincinnati Royals and expansion San Diego Rockets.
McMahon’s Royals reached the playoffs in each of his four seasons, powered by Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. His San Diego years included the Rockets’ difficult first season and their first postseason appearance in 1969.
He finished with a 260-289 NBA regular-season head-coaching record. His later work included coaching in the ABA and service as an NBA assistant, notably with the Philadelphia 76ers during their 1983 championship season.
McMahon died on June 11, 1989, at age 60.
- Overall Coaching Record: 260-289 (NBA only)
Coaching Career
McMahon began his NBA head-coaching career with the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962-63, following the franchise’s first season as the Chicago Packers.
After a 12-26 start over 38 games, he was replaced by player-coach Slick Leonard. The franchise relocated to Baltimore the following season.
Notable Players Coached
- Walt Bellamy
- Hall of Fame center and 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year
- Terry Dischinger
- 1963 NBA Rookie of the Year and future three-time All-Star
McMahon inherited a talented Cincinnati team featuring Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. His 1963-64 Royals went 55-25 and reached the Eastern Division finals.
The next three Royals teams went 48-32, 45-35 and 39-42. Cincinnati made the playoffs in each season but did not reach the NBA Finals.
McMahon’s four-season record with the Royals was 187-134, the strongest NBA head-coaching segment of his career.
Notable Players Coached
- Oscar Robertson
- Hall of Fame guard and 1964 NBA MVP
- Jerry Lucas
- Hall of Fame forward and 1964 Rookie of the Year
- Wayne Embry
- Five-time All-Star center
McMahon became the expansion Rockets’ first head coach for 1967-68. San Diego struggled to a 15-67 debut with a young roster.
The Rockets improved to 37-45 in 1968-69 and made the playoffs for the first time. The Atlanta Hawks eliminated San Diego in six games.
McMahon went 9-17 through 26 games of 1969-70 before Alex Hannum took over. His San Diego record was 61-129.
Notable Players Coached
- Elvin Hayes
- Hall of Fame forward-center and 1969 NBA scoring leader
- Pat Riley
- Future Hall of Fame coach who played for the early Rockets
- Don Kojis
- Expansion Rockets forward and future NBA All-Star
After coaching the Pittsburgh Pipers in the ABA, McMahon returned to NBA staffs as a long-serving Philadelphia assistant beginning in 1974-75.
He worked through the Julius Erving era and was on the 76ers’ staff during their 1982-83 championship season under Billy Cunningham.
Assistant seasons are documented independently of his 260-289 NBA head-coaching record.
Notable Players Coached
- Julius Erving
- Hall of Fame forward and 1983 NBA champion
- Moses Malone
- Hall of Fame center and 1983 Finals MVP
- Maurice Cheeks
- Hall of Fame point guard and 1983 champion
McMahon served on Golden State’s NBA staff in 1986-87, adding another coaching appointment after his lengthy Philadelphia tenure.
The Warriors returned to the playoffs that year under George Karl. This assistant post did not affect McMahon’s NBA head-coaching totals.
Notable Players Coached
- Joe Barry Carroll
- All-Star center with the Warriors
- Chris Mullin
- Hall of Fame forward and future Dream Team member